Hati was given to the Egyptian temple at a young age, destined to become a “God’s Wife”—a woman dedicated to protecting Egypt by any means necessary. Part spy and part courtesan, Hati is charged with gaining the favor Thutmose II and becoming both companion and bodyguard to the Pharaoh.

Once installed in the court, Hati is surprised to discover that Thutmose isn’t anything like she expected. He is a gentle man, burdened by the responsibilities of his office. Hati vows to support the Pharaoh in any way she can. She attends strategy meetings with him, offers sage advice, and handles state affairs with charm and grace.  Not everyone is impressed with the Pharaoh’s new wife, however, and the court’s uneasiness grows when Hati’s position is elevated from that of concubine to Queen.

Then Thutmose is brutally murdered, and Hati is left to fend for herself - grieving, desperate and one month pregnant. Thutmose’s enemies close in, but the deceased Pharaoh has one last trick up his sleeve. He has named Hati as his successor. In order to honor the wishes of her husband, and insure the safety of her son and country, Hati ascends the throne and becomes one of the most memorable figures in Egyptian history.

In The God’s Wife, Ms. Austen has created an engaging tale that moves along swiftly, with a good amount of atmosphere and attention to detail. There have been many stories about the Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s rise to power, and this is one of the most interesting by far.  Ms. Austen shows us a woman who understands the world she lives in, and is able to use the intrigues and power struggles around her to her own advantage. Hati is clever and resourceful. She is compassionate, and unafraid to rely on others.

One of the most satisfying relationships in The God’s Wife is between Hati and Thutmose, the reluctant Pharaoh. The author puts a distinct spin on the familiar trope of ‘the arranged marriage’. A gentle friendship blooms between the two protagonists and the genuine caring between the two makes their eventual romance believable.

While Ms. Austen’s characters were generally vivid and likable, there were some events within the plot that seemed a little too convenient (ex: Hati and a concubine give birth to sons within a few moments of each other—despite the fact that the children were conceived one month apart). A few other such instances are sprinkled throughout the novel, stretching the reader’s suspension of disbelief a bit thin.

Despite this, I found The God’s Wife to be an enjoyable read which puts a new spin on an ancient bit of history.

Reviewed by Erika Sevea for the Road to Romance

September 21, 2005